Time Travel: Volume 1! Starting from a Small Mountain Village

Seeing Zhang Chunfang's face change unpredictably like a palette under the accusations of the commune members, and finally become speechless, Long Lifan couldn't help but smile coldly, and a sharp glint flashed in the depths of her eyes.

“If I remember correctly, Lin Yue once told me that her biological mother had passed away when she was young, and you are just a newcomer in her life, a ‘stepmother’ in name only. How can you so confidently label her as unfilial?”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Chunfang's face stiffened, and she immediately retorted, "So what if she's a stepmother? Isn't a stepmother a mother? She's been so disrespectful to me, her elder, how can I expect her to manage the pig farm well?"

Long Lifan nodded slightly, seemingly in agreement, and said, "Yes, a stepmother is still a mother."

But then her tone shifted, becoming accusatory: "So, tell me, what have you, as Lin Yue's 'stepmother,' done for her? Was it a meal when she was young, or a clean piece of clothing as she grew up? No, you did nothing. You probably hadn't even met her before she came to the city. You only brought her back to the city from the countryside to save your own daughter from being sent there. So selfish and self-serving, what right do you have to speak to Lin Yue as an elder about her filial impiety?"

"I…"

Zhang Chunfang was speechless, provoked by Long Lifan's words. Her eyes darted around, but she inadvertently caught sight of Lin Maocai standing to the side. As if grasping at a straw, she suddenly pushed him in front of the crowd.

“I may not be the real mother, but at least he is the real father! Look at them, which daughter would cause trouble for her father outside? When there are benefits, which daughter wouldn’t think of her father first? But what about her? She’s been in the countryside for more than a year, and she hasn’t seen a single letter or a single penny from home…” Her voice was filled with urgency and dissatisfaction.

“That’s right, she really didn’t!” Lin Maocai unexpectedly chimed in, which made Long Lifan’s heart grow even colder.

Long Lifan's dislike for Lin Maocai far exceeded her dislike for Zhang Chunfang. Zhang Chunfang was not related to Lin Yue by blood; she was merely a "stepmother," so her attitude was somewhat understandable.

But Lin Maocai, Lin Yue's biological father, heartlessly pushed his own daughter into the unfamiliar countryside for the sake of a stepdaughter, never considering her feelings whatsoever. How could such a person be worthy of being a father? Long Lifan was filled with anger and incomprehension.

"hehe"

Long Lifan sneered, her gaze piercing Lin Maocai like a knife. "I almost forgot, Lin Yue's biological father is standing here! How nice! Then I'd like to ask you, what have you, as her father, done for Lin Yue? She's in the countryside, spending so many lonely and helpless days with her elderly grandparents. Have you ever thought of her even once? Have you ever sent her a single penny or a single letter?"

"I bet you don't! I doubt it. If it weren't for your precious stepdaughter not having to go to the countryside, you wouldn't have even thought of bringing Lin Yue back to the city. In the end, you've probably long forgotten that you have a biological daughter struggling in the countryside!"

Lin Yue stood aside, listening to Sister Fan defend her, her heart filled with mixed emotions. Those long-forgotten memories surged back like a tide, making her feel somewhat dazed.

For her, the word "father" had long since faded away in some corner of her childhood. She thought she had given up hope, but at this moment, Sister Fan's words were like a sharp knife, gently cutting open the scars in her heart, making her feel a strange sadness.

Long Lifan's sharp gaze fell upon Lin Maocai, who stood frozen in place, and she continued, "I wonder if you've ever heard this saying: 'If parents are not kind, children will not be filial; if brothers are not friendly, younger brothers will not be respectful; if husbands are not righteous, wives will not be obedient.'"

"Long Zhiqing, what does that mean?"

"That's right, Young Master Long, please give us a proper explanation!"

"........."

The surrounding members looked puzzled, clearly not understanding the flowery language, and began to speak up.

Seeing this, Long Lifan smiled warmly and patiently explained, "This saying means that if elders in the family treat younger generations badly, the younger generations naturally won't treat them well in return. If an elder brother treats his younger brother badly, the younger brother won't respect him. If a husband is unjust to his wife, the wife won't obey him."

While lecturing Lin Maocai, she also took the time to share these simple yet profound life lessons with the villagers.

"I wonder how you, as Lin Yue's father, have behaved in her life?" Long Lifan's words were like a sharp sword, piercing straight into Lin Maocai's heart.

Lin Maocai was overwhelmed with shame and lowered his head, unable to face Long Lifan's questioning, nor could he face the guilt and self-blame in his heart.

At that moment, the entire scene fell silent. The members all lowered their heads in thought, seemingly reflecting on their own family relationships and whether similar problems existed.

Lin Yue found solace in this silence. She knew that no matter what the future held, at least for this moment, someone was willing to stand up for her and speak up for her. Even without family, so what? This warmth and strength from friendship was enough for her to bravely face any challenges ahead.

In the end, Lin Maocai dragged the unwilling Zhang Chunfang away in a hurry. Zhang Chunfang kept grumbling all the way, complaining that the matter had not been resolved and what would happen to her work.

Left with no other option, the two had to bite the bullet and apologize to Zhao Xiaodong, while simultaneously trying to sever ties with Lin Yue, fearing they would be implicated.

As they were leaving, they tried to get Old Chen to take them to the commune in his oxcart, but he coldly refused. "Do you really think we villagers have nothing better to do? I'm busy all day long," Old Chen glared at them, his refusal utterly blunt.

If they had known they were there to cause trouble, they shouldn't have let them get on the bus today. Zhang Chunfang and Lin Maocai had no choice but to walk on foot, their hearts filled with resentment and bitterness, but there was nothing they could do.

"How are you? Are you alright?" Long Lifan asked softly, noticing that Lin Yue seemed a little down.

Lin Yue forced a smile and shook her head: "It's okay, anyway, he never really treated me like his daughter!" Her words revealed a hint of helplessness and heartbreak.

Upon hearing this, Hu Lili gritted her teeth in anger: "This must have been instigated by that shameless Zhao Xiaodong!"

She said indignantly, "Otherwise, why would they make Lin Yue apologize to Zhao Xiaodong? It's obvious that Zhao Xiaodong wanted to use Lin Yue's father to force Lin Yue to back down."

Thinking about all this, Hu Lili felt even more that letting Zhao Xiaodong go to reclaim the wasteland was too good for him, and she wished she could teach him a lesson.

"Alright, it's all over now!" Long Lifan casually comforted the two of them.

The next morning, Old Chen once again drove his familiar oxcart towards the commune. The sun gradually rose higher, and he didn't return until nearly noon.

Besides him, there were three other educated youths—two men and one woman—on the oxcart. As the cart creaked to a stop, Old Chen pointed to the simple courtyard ahead, "We're here. This is your educated youth settlement." Before he finished speaking, he turned and left impatiently.

Throughout the journey, the young woman's discontent was like the incessant chirping of cicadas in summer, her complaints escalating and fueling Old Chen's anger. For over an hour, he suppressed his frustration as he drove her to her destination, then drove away without looking back, leaving only the fading sound of cowbells echoing in the air.